Background: Community members and school district personnel formed the P-O School Health Council in the spring of 2005 to bring about positive change in our district by increasing the knowledge of students, staff and community of the importance of healthy eating and physical activity. It developed and the School Board approved a district wellness policy in compliance with the Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004. 

Current work: The group examined the district's healthy snack list and updated the information. The council is pursuing grant opportunities to continue its mission. It has successfully obtained several grants, including:

• a Fresh Fruit and Vegetable grant for Osceola Mills Elementary School for the 2009-10 school year. This program is excellent for nutrition education and provided the funds to allow students to try fruit and vegetables, including jicama, mango and white asparagus, to name a few.   

 

• a $10,000 grant from Highmark Healthy 5 to purchase a rock wall and treadmill for the junior high school. This program has been a resounding success.

 

• two $5,000 grants from the state Department of Education for HIV/STD/Pregnancy prevention at the senior high school and junior high school. These grants are used to purchase much-needed materials, books and displays for health classes.